Can my vet refuse treatment we have paid for?

Jonboy_1984

Dunno about that, the various follow up X-rays were part of the follow up plan to ensure the treatment had worked as expected and allow correction before the bone had fused etc if there had been issues or complications.

Frankly the OP’s had a substantial amount of time to carry out the X-rays, with an advance sedative tablet from the vets if required, and I suspect pursuing action would get no-where.

Lola_balola

Unfortunately, I don’t think you have a right to this X-ray, you paid for a package and didn’t make use of one element.how long do you expect this to be available to you? 3 years? 5 years? 10 years? What did the contract/T&Cs say? It’s like not having the buffet on an all inclusive holiday then trying to claim it three years later!

Additionally, you may need different views/number of images/skill of interpretation in the Acute pain setting compared with post-op. So may not be a like for like investigation.

born_again

Teds_daughter said:

Olinda99 said:

I am guessing that the first x-ray was part of the package of  treatment consisting of the operation and care following the operation.

you refused the follow-up X-ray at the time and thus the treatment came to an end because of this.

the x-ray now is a completely different matter and and not linked to the treatment plan that you had back then

If the treatment we had is now causing problems then it's the same issue.

After 3 years?

While it maybe the same issue. You are facing the argument. That you did nothing after lockdown ended to take up the issue of the x-ray. Or in the rest of the 3 years.
Given, I take it that your dog goes for it's annual check up's & booster jabs. So it's not like it was going out of your way to speak to them? If not, then why not... 

As a dog owner, No matter how the dog is, it would have gone for that x-ray at the time. Our vet was using the same procedure & Mrs is in vulnerable group. Less chance of catching covid dropping dog off that shopping etc.
Yet ours still went. 

TELLIT01

The OP wouldn't have stayed with the dog all the time it was at the vet's for surgery and recovery, so their argument that they wouldn't leave the dog because it's nervous is tenuous at best.  Irrespective of that, the OP effectively refused treatment at the time and it's unreasonable to expect to be able to pick back up on it 3 years later. 

RefluentBeans

I agree with what has been posted here. The vet maybe could’ve offered a sedative at the time when the original X-ray was required but now it’s kind of too late to start prodding at should’ve/could’ve.

I also assume that given this was three years  ago, your dog has been fine up until now? If that’s true, it’s not fair to expect the vet to cover a worsening condition this long after. This is what insurance is for. 

You can potentially ask the vet for a compromise so you can remain a happy customer there, but outside of that I don’t think there’s not much you can do, other than move vets. And if you think the vet did a subpar job (which is what you would be claiming if the issue came back 3 years later), then you should really be looking at moving vets. 

Teds_daughter

Thanks everyone.

born_again

RefluentBeans said:

I agree with what has been posted here. The vet maybe could’ve offered a sedative at the time when the original X-ray was required but now it’s kind of too late to start prodding at should’ve/could’ve.

I also assume that given this was three years  ago, your dog has been fine up until now? If that’s true, it’s not fair to expect the vet to cover a worsening condition this long after. This is what insurance is for. 

You can potentially ask the vet for a compromise so you can remain a happy customer there, but outside of that I don’t think there’s not much you can do, other than move vets. And if you think the vet did a subpar job (which is what you would be claiming if the issue came back 3 years later), then you should really be looking at moving vets. 

Providing that it does not exclude pre existing conditions. As many do.

deannagone

It sounds like the vet is not the right place to take your anxious dog.  I had a similar dog.., most groomers couldn't cope with him, then I found one with a different more accepting attitude (ie. how do we deal with this) and no further problems with grooming.  In fact, the dog gained confidence overall.  You don't 'spoil' dogs with anxiety but you do accept their anxiety and find ways to calm them or overcome it.  You don't regard them as 'demons' or evil lol.  That doesn't help.

Find another vet, one who has a good attitude to dogs with anxiety and sedation is also a possibility.  If you want to have previous treatments reassessed, you would need to go to another vet anyway.

I have had my eyes opened by watching https://www.youtube.com/@ExtremeAnimalRescue.  Yes, its about animal rescue but its also eye opening about how animals should be treated, in spite of health and behaviour challenges i.e. with care and respect as all animals should be loved and worthy of the best life they can lead).  Not all owners nor vets share this attitude.